Christianity: Eschatological Beliefs and Teachings

Question 1

What is resurrection?

Answer 1

• The belief that humans will come back to life
• This is because we have a soul
• Christians believe in full body resurrection
• All Christians will be raised and judged by God

Question 2

What is life after death?

Answer 2

• The idea that after death, humans live on
• Those who follow God will be rewarded with eternal life
• Those who do not will either be annihilated or go to Hell

Question 3

What is heaven?

Answer 3

• Eternity in the presence of God
• Could be metaphysical, could be physical - Eden
• A place without suffering:
  “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4)

Question 4

What were the apocalyptic ideas in the Early Church?

Answer 4

• The first Christians believed Jesus would soon return and establish a new world order
• They believed they were living in the last days of the world - Eschaton
• They were waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Parousia)

Question 5

What are modern beliefs about Parousia?

Answer 5

• Some Christians are still waiting for the Second Coming
• Most Christians believe the teaching about Parousia and the end of time is a way of expressing that God has a plan that is yet to be completed

Question 6

What is purgatory?

Answer 6

• Roman Catholic belief
• You go to heaven if you die in a good spiritual state, in friendship with God
• If you are not pure enough, you will undergo purification in purgatory
• Then you will go to Heaven - this is why Roman Catholics pray for the dead - they believe they can help them in their journey through purgatory
• Hell is eternal